Cougar chopper grounded on N.L. offshore rig

It was cleared to return to service late Tuesday afternoon

A Cougar offshore helicopter flight was cut short Monday after the aircraft's crew spotted a potential problem.

During a safety check, after the chopper landed on the Henry Goodrich oilrig, the crew discovered a potential hydraulic leak.

Statoil notified the Canada-Newfoundland Offshore Petroleum Board that the helicopter crew decided to stay on board the drilling platform east of St. John’s until they could consult with officials at Cougar’s base.

The helicopter was cleared to return to service late Tuesday afternoon.

The Cougar helicopter that crashed, killing 17, on March 12, 2009, had a catastrophic loss of oil pressure before it lost power and plunged into the ocean.